Entire Stanley Cup Playoffs is Most-Watched Since 1997, Up 18% vs. Last Year

STAMFORD, Conn - June 25, 2013 - Last night's Game 6 (8:15-11 p.m. ET) of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, in which the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins, 3-2, to claim their second Stanley Cup in four years, was watched by 8.16 million viewers on NBC, up 66% vs. last year's Game 6 and making it the second-most watched Game 6 since 1994, according to official data released today by The Nielsen Company.

Game 6 was the culmination of an exciting Stanley Cup Final. Two Original Six teams, three overtime contests -- including an epic triple-overtime in Game 1 -- and extremely tight games (Chicago and Boston were tied or separated by one goal 87% of the time) propelled the series to be the most-watched Stanley Cup Final on record, averaging 5.76 million viewers across NBC and NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) (data available since 1994).

Overall, the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs averaged 1.467 million viewers on NBC, NBC Sports Network and CNBC (84 games), making it the most-watched post-season since 1997 (1.52 million on ESPN/ESPN2/FOX) and up 18% vs. last year (1.241).

GAME 6

Last night's game drew a 4.7 U.S. household rating and 8.16 million viewers on NBC, up 52% and 66%, respectively, vs. last year (3.1 and 4.929 million viewers). This year's series-clinching contest was the second-most watched Stanley Cup Final Game 6 since 1994, trailing only Chicago's 2010 series-clinching Game 6 against Philadelphia (6/9/10, 8.279 million).

Boston led all markets with a 33.0 household rating, while Chicago posted a 30.2. Both ratings were tops for each market during the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and NBC was the No. 1 rated network overall in both cities during the 8:15-11 p.m. ET time period.

On the strength of Bruins-Blackhawks Game 6, NBC finished first among Adults 18-49 (3.1 rating) and Adults 25-54 (3.5). Game 6 was the No. 1 program of the night among Men 18-49 and 25-54, and tied for first among Adults 18-49 (CBS' Under the Dome).

STANLEY CUP FINAL

The Stanley Cup Final averaged a 3.3 household rating and 5.764 million viewers across NBC (Games 1, 4 -6) and NBC Sports Network (Games 2-3), making it the most-watched on record (since 1994), and up 83% (1.8) and 91% (3.012 million), respectively, vs. last year.

Game 6 was the most-watched game of the final with 8.16 million viewers.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

For the entire playoffs, NBC, NBCSN and CNBC combined to average 1.467 million viewers for 84 games, making it the most-watched Stanley Cup Playoffs on record (since 1994) and up 18% vs. last year (1.241 million for 81 games).

The 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs set new records for NBCSN, averaging 1.209 million viewers for 55 games, up 17% vs. last year (1.030 million, 52 games).

NBCSN and CNBC combined to average 1.000 million viewers over 72 Stanley Cup Playoff games, making the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs the most-watched post-season on cable since 1999 (ESPN/ESPN2, 1.022 million).

Most-Watched NBC Sports Network Games

Three of the five most-watched NHL games in NBCSN history occurred this season: Stanley Cup Final Game 3 (4.001 million viewers); Stanley Cup Final Game 2 (3.964 million); and Game 7 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals between Chicago and Detroit (3.354 million).

Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York and Pittsburgh all posted record ratings on NBC and/or NBC Sports Network in their respective markets throughout the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

On NBC:

· Boston: Best non-Stanley Cup Final game ever on NBC with a 19.57 rating vs. Pittsburgh on June 1.

· Chicago: Best non-Stanley Cup Final game ever on NBC with a 19.61 vs. Los Angeles on June 8.

· Detroit: Best Semi-Final game ever on NBC with a 14.67 vs. Chicago on May 25.

· Los Angeles: Best non-Stanley Cup Final game ever on NBC with a 3.84 vs. Chicago on June 8.

· Minneapolis: Best game ever on NBC with a 7.95 rating vs. Chicago on May 5.

· New York: Best Semi-Final game ever on NBC with a 4.01 vs. Boston on May 19.

On NBC Sports Network:

· Boston: Best game ever on NBC Sports Network with a 27.2 rating vs. Chicago on June 17

· Chicago: Best game ever on NBC Sports Network with a 17.21 vs. Detroit on May 29.

· Detroit: Best game ever on NBC Sports Network with a 15.99 vs. Chicago on May 29.

· Los Angeles: Best non-Stanley Cup Final game ever on NBC Sports Network with a 2.97 vs. Chicago on June 4.

· Pittsburgh: Best Semi-Final game ever on NBC Sports Network with a 25.64 rating vs. Ottawa on May 19.